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Prabhas Kshetra
The Glory of Somnath
Contents
The holy place Prabhas also known as Somnath is situated between 20.53’N
latitude and 70.24’E longitude on the south west coast of India in the
Sourashtra province of Gujarat State, on the shores of Arabian Sea. Port
town of Veeraval is only 2 km away from Somnath. Sanctified with the
presence of Jyothirlinga of Lord Shiva known as Somnath, this sacrosanct
place Prabhas, is in existence since time immemorial. Spiritually known as
Prabhas Theertha this place was called as Prabhas Pattan in olden times and
was famous as a town of temples.
Prabhas Kshetra is highly sanctified with the Niryana of Lord Sri Krishna at
this place known as Bhalka Theertha where, the Lord undertook his last
journey on this Earth and left for his celestial abode ending his glorious
Avathara. Known as Parashurama Kshetra (Tapo Bhoomi) it is also the place
where, Lord Parashurama did penance to get rid of the ill effects of killing
Kshatriya Kings several times. It is also said that, Deva Guru Brihaspathi
attained his position as the Preceptor of Devathas by performing penance on
the banks of Prabhas Theertha. Blessed with the glorious presence of Lord
Shiva in the form of a Jyothirlinga, and sanctified with the Niryana of Lord
Sri Krishna (Avathara of Lord Maha Vishnu) the place Prabhas is known as
Hari Hara Kshetra.
It is said that in those days Prabhas Theertha was only 24 miles to the East
of Dwarka and people from Dwarka used to reach Prabhas within couple of
hours. Devoted to its sanctity as a place of meditation and penance,
Prabhas Theertha was a frequent pilgrim of both Pandavas and Yadavas. It
is said that Pandavas during their Vanavasa (exile in forest) period had
stayed here for some time. It is said that Lord Sri Krishna and Balarama
also had done pilgrimage to Prabhas. As per Bhagavatha purana it is said
that Lord Sri Krishna had advised his clan to move to Prabhas Theertha
before his Niryana. Finally, Lord Sri Krishna himself moved to Prabhas
Theertha for his ultimate journey.
Prabhas known as the Aadi Jyothirlinga Kshetra, first among the Dwadasa
Jyothirlingas is a historical and holy religious tourist center, attracting lakhs
of pilgrims and tourists from across the globe throughout the year. Prabhas
is also a place of pilgrimage for the worship of one’s ancestors at the Triveni
Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers. Somavathi Amavasya and
Lunar eclipse bears a special significance at this Kshetra for pilgrimage and
for a dip in the Triveni Sangam even dating back to the Pouranic era.
SOMNATH TEMPLE
(Aadi Jyothirlinga Kshetra)
Accordingly Lord Moon did severe penace at this place (Prabhas) for several
thousands of years and worshipped Lord Shiva. Pleased with Moon’s
penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of a Jyothirlinga and
blessed him with a relief from the dreadful disease he was suffering with.
Since the curse of Daksha cannot become untrue, Lord Shiva, by reducing
the intensity of the curse provided relief to the Moon. By virtue of which
Moon’s lustre would improve during the waxing period and recede during
waning period. This is what we observe in the Lunar Phase, Moon increasing
in size during Sukla Paksha and appearing in full size on the Full Moon day
(Poornima) and decreasing in size during Krishna Paksha and totally
vanishing on the New Moon day or Amavasya.
Since Moon has regained his lustre (Prabha) by dint of his austere penance,
this holy place became famous as Prabhas Kshetra. Lord Shiva is worshipped
here as Somnath named after Moon who is also referred as Soma. This
Shiva Linga that got manifested at this place is considered as the Aadi
Jyothirlinga.
When and who got constructed the original Somnath temple is conclusively
and historically not known. However, based on the research findings from
sacred texts like Skhanda Purana (Prabhas Khanda) it is said that, Prana
Prathista of the first Somnath Jyotirlinga was done during the tenth Treta
Yuga of Vaivasvatha Manvanthara and the first temple was built
approximately 80 millions years ago.
It is said according to the scripts that, it was Lord Moon who first performed
the holy installation of Jyothirlinga and the place came to be known as
Somnath. It is also said that Lord Moon (Chandra) lifted this Jyothirlinga
and installed it on the slab called Brahmashila. According to the temple
sources, it is said and believed that the original temple of Somnath was built
by the Moon God that was made of gold. After it was razed to the ground, it
was rebuilt with silver by Ravanasura. When the silver temple was knocked
down, it was reconstructed in sandal wood by Lord Sri Krishna.
Enshrined at the centre of a spacious Sanctum with its entrance wall known
as Suvarna Dwar covered with Gold plating the large sized Jyothirlinga at
Somnath is of the shape of a hen’s egg fixed in the middle of the earth.
Somnath is one of the holy places dedicated to Lord Shiva and is first among
the twelve holy places known as Dwadasa Jyothirlinga Kshetras. The temple
has a large central hall with entrances on three sides, each protected by a
lofty porch. The temple tower is 150 ft height and the dome of the temple is
said to be the biggest ever made in this century.
There is a high security alert at the temple in view of its vulnerability and
entry inside the temple is subject to strict security verification and frisking.
Pilgrims entering the temple are prohibited from carrying mobiles, cameras
and videos. Generally in Shiva temples we find devotees are allowed to
enter the Sanctum and perform abhishekam to the Shiva Linga. Here in
Somnath it is not the case. Due to security reasons devotees can have only
darshan from outside the Suvarna Dwar and are strictly prohibited from
entering the sanctum or performing abhishekam to the Jyothirlinga.
Somnath temple is open for darshan from morning 6.00 am to night 9.00
pm without any break in between. Aarati timings are at 7.00 am 12.00 noon
and 7.00 pm. The temple is illuminated every evening and a Sound & Light
show called “Jay Somnath” is also displayed every night during 8.00 to 9.00
that is worth seeing and a wonderful and unique experience to cherish.
Adjacent to the main temple complex, there is another temple of Lord Shiva
which was built by Maharani Ahalyabai Holker during 1782 where the Shiva
Linga is enshrined in the underground. It is said that this temple used to
maintain the Pooja parampara of Lord Shiva during the hostile political
conditions. This temple is now called as old Somnath temple. Devotees are
allowed to perform pooja and abhishekam to Lord Shiva personally in this
temple.
Other temples located inside the complex of Somnath Mandir are Shri
Kapardi Vinayak and Sri Hanuman Temple. Karthika Poornima in the month
of November and Maha Shivarathri in the month of February/March are
some of the major festivals that are celebrated on a large scale at Somnath
temple. The temple is managed by Sri Somnath Trust.
his long penance and was relieved from the curse of Kshatriya killings. It is
located at a distance of about 5 km on Veeraval highway. There is
Parashurama temple and two kunds and also temples of Jaleshwar-
Tapeshwar Mahadev and Jamadagneshwar Mahadev at this place.
One can find Shiva Lingas on the sea side known as Baan Ganga Shiva
Linga. The Jhara poacher (hunter) is said to have taken aim from this spot
while hitting an arrow towards Lord Sree Krishna.
Rajputa Vaja clan was in charge of Somnath during the Muslim desecrations.
The devotional episode of the princess Veni is said to have been depicted in
the novel by Shri K.M. Munshi. The temple was outside of the fort wall of
Prabhas Pattan at the time of holy war with Gazani. The soldiers of Gazani
attempted an abduction of the princess Veni, an ardent devotee of Lord
Shiva who used to regularly visit the temple to offer her services to the Lord
Shiva. The traditions maintain that the Shiva linga spontaneously got divided
and the princess got buried into it. The Shiva temple here is known as
Veneshwar temple after the fond memory of the divine episode of Veni.
It is a very ancient temple dedicated to the Sun God. The Sun temple of
Prabhas Pattan has a sabha mantapa, sanctum sanctorum and intricate
carvings.
Next to the Sun temple there is Pandav Gufa, a cave associated with the
Pandavas, at an elevated place dedicated to Pandavas. Inside there is an
underground cave temple called as Hinglaj Matha Mandir, a form of Goddess
Durga. Pandavas during their Vanavasa are said to have visited this place
and worshipped this Goddess.
It is said that, this was the place where Rathi Devi wife of Manmatha also
known as Kamadev did severe penance to get back the life to her husband.
Earlier Manmatha who had disturbed Lord Shiva from his penance became a
victim to his wrath and got converted into ashes. Pleased with Rathi Devi’s
prayers and penance, Lord Shiva blessed her husband life back without
physical body and fulfilled her desire. Thenceforth the Lord Shiva at this
place came to be known as Kamnath Mahadev.
The Kamnath Mahadev temple, built about 200 years ago by a Mayurdhwaj
King, is a renowned temple located in Somnath. There is a large temple
complex with a holy pond and its water is said to have majestic healing
powers. It is said that Mayurdhwaj King recovered from leprosy after taking
bath in this place. There are idols of Adi Sankaracharya and Lord Nrusimha.
Replica of Dwadasa Jyothirlingas is enshrined in this temple. Sankaracharya
Mutt, Sharada Peeth is inside the complex.
Prabhas Theertha
The Sacred Place of Sri Krishna Niryana
Longevity of Sri Krishna’s avathara was only for a period of 125 + years
during the end of Dwapara Yuga. Lord Sri Krishna lived in Dwarka for a
period of 36 years after the Kurukshetra war and totally for 100 years after
migrating to Dwarka. When the time came for winding up his avathara,
Brahmaadi Devathas came to Lord Sri Krishna and invited him to come back
to his original abode.
Lord Sri Krishna realized that, the purpose of his incarnation is over and it is
time for him to leave this world. He had also foreseen that, it was the time
when the curses given by Gandhari and sacred Sages on the Yadava clan
going to materialize.
Bhalka Theertha
Having accomplished his mission on the Earth, and firming up his mind for
his Niryana, Lord Sri Krishna moved to Prabhas Theertha (Somnath) in his
chariot driven by Daruka.
After reaching Prabhas Theertha Lord Sri Krishna was resting in a meditation
posture under a Pepal tree on the banks of holy Triveni, Sangam of three
sacred rivers Hiranya, Kapila and Saraswati. With his left leg raised and
resting on the right, Sri Krishna was hit by an arrow released from a
distance by a hunter called Jhara. The arrow struck the toe of His left foot
thereby Lord Sri Krishna got fatally injured. The Jhara poacher misread the
radiance from Lord Sri Krishna’s foot as that of an eye of a deer. Jhara
poacher immediately rushed to Lord Sri Krishna and begged him pardon. Sri
Krishna generously forgave him and blessed him with Mukthi.
The place where Lord Sri Krishna was sitting beneath the Pepal tree and got
struck by an arrow is known as Bhalka Theerth. Bhalka is the name of a
village which is 5 km away from Somnath temple on Prabhas-Veeraval
highway. Bhalla in Sanskrit also means an arrow. This divine place is
immortalized by a temple of Lord Sri Krishna where the marble image of the
Lord is depicted in the same posture when He got struck by an arrow, with
Jhara poacher kneeling in front of him with folded hands.
Lord Sri Krishna advised his chariot driver Daruka to go and inform Arjuna
about his Niryana and ask him to shift his family members from Dwarka to
Hastinapura. Lord Sri Krishna had earlier foreseen that Dwarka is going to
submerge totally on the seventh day of his Niryana. Having sent Daruka
away, Lord Sri Krishna walked through his final journey and reached the
banks of river Hiranya. After reaching the appropriate spot, Lord Sri Krishna
left for his original abode in his cosmic form leaving his physical body. Thus
came to an end the great incarnation of Lord SriManNarayana, the most
fascinating, benevolent and dynamic Sri Krishnaavathara.
But the memorabilia of Lord Sri Krishna’s charismatic figure, Leela, love and
affection, benevolence, dynamism, strategies, preachings, and his stories
etc… will be in remembrance for ever. He will reside in the hearts of the
people for Yugas to come and we always find him existing in Pancha
Bhoothas.
It is said as per scripts that, it was (Niryana) the first day of the bright
fortnight in the month of Chaitra Masam which corresponds with 18 th
February 3102 B.C. at 2.27.30 hours. The period after his disappearance is
marked as the beginning of Kali Yuga. As foreseen by Lord Sri Krishna, the
golden city of Dwarka totally submerged in the ocean on the seventh day
from the day of Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryana. Sri Vishnu Purana and Srimad
Bhagavatha Purana (Ekadasa Skhanda), covers about Sri Krishna Niryana.
The site on the banks of river Hiranya where, Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryana took
place is called as Dehotsarg Theertha or Nijadham Prasthan. It is also
known as Golok Dham Theertha. At the spot where Lord Sri Krishna
disappeared from this world is marked with foot print of the Lord in memory
of His Niryana.
Balramki Gufa (Dauji-ni-Gufa)
Balarama the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna was all through
accompanying Sri Krishna in His final journey. After witnessing the Niryana
of Lord Sri Krishna, Balarama (Aadisesha Avathara) cast off his human form
and left for his abode from a nearby place in his original serpent form. This
place is marked by an ancient holy cave known as Dauji-ni-Gufa where you
can find the mark of Aadisesha depicted on the cave wall from where he said
to have disappeared. This place is adjacent to the place of Sri Krishna’s
Niryana.
Apart from the above, one can also find temples of Lord Sri Lakshmi
Narayana, Geetha Mandir where, Bhagavat Geetha is depicted on the marble
walls. The large campus of Dehotsarg theertha is very beautiful, serene on
the banks of river Hiranya giving a spiritual atmosphere. This place is about
1.5 km from Somnath temple.
(For the protection of the good and virtuous, for the destruction of evil, for the re-
establishment of the natural law (Dharma), I will come, in every age)
EXCURSIONS AROUND SOMNATH
Somnath Beach
Just behind the new Somnath temple is the Somnath beach with pleasant
sands, extensive sea view, camel and pony rides.
Porbandar
Sudhama Mandir
Behind the house of Mahatma Gandhi there lies the parental house of
Kasturba Gandhi, wife of M.K. Gandhi where she was born, bought up and
lived till her marriage with Mahatma Gandhi.
The Gir National Park and wild life Sanctuary one of the most important wild
life preserves of India is situated in Junagadh district of Gujarat State about
45 km away from Somnath. Also known as Sasan–Gir, spread over an area
of 1412 sq. km is the last home of the Asiatic Lions. This sanctuary was set
up to protect the lions where it is said that one can find at present more
than 300 lions. It is closed for visitors on Wednesday.
Diu Island
The island of Diu has chaptered history having been under the possession of
and ruled by many Kings and Dynasties dating back to pouranic period.
Lastly it was under the rule of Portuguese from whom it was liberated along
with Goa and Daman in the year 1961. It is believed and said that Pandavas
had spent some time in this island during their exile in forests. It is about
95 km from Somnath.
By Road
Somnath is well connected by road with all major towns and cities of Gujarat.
State Road Transport Corporation and private buses operate from Somnath as
well as Veraval.
By Air
For local sight seeing and for visiting places around Somnath Auto rickshaws
are available. They charge between Rs.150 to 200 and cover six important
places and it takes about couple of hours to complete.
Accommodation at Somnath
In the temple town of Somnath there is limited option for good hotels that
provide lodging and boarding facilities. One can also get accommodation in
the Port town of Veraval and on the way to Veraval. There are guest houses
and Dharmashalas at Somnath for pilgrims to stay. Somnath temple trust is
providing guest house facility at Somnath where one can get moderate to
good accommodation. Dormitory facilities are also available. Contact number
for accommodation at Somnath Trust Guest House is 02876 – 231212.
Temple Timings
Contact Details:
General Manager
Shree Somnath Trust
Prabhas Pattan -382 268
Junagadh District (Gujarat State)
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
bhargavasarma